R.I. begins new budget year without a state budget_BINARY_1084602

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The state began its new budget year Monday without a budget.

Katherine Gregg Journal Political Writer kathyprojo

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The state began its new budget year Monday without a budget.

The General Assembly passed an $8.2-billion budget last Thursday, but Governor Chafee has not yet signed it and his staff has not said whether he will.

Chafee can sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

Under Section 14 of Article IX of the state Constitution, Chafee has six days - not counting Sunday - to make that decision or it will take effect without his signature.

This is not the first time Rhode Island has gone without a new budget until after the July 1 start of the new fiscal year. In the past, infighting between the House and Senate or a time lapse before the lawmakers overrode a governor's veto have delayed budgets.

As an example, the last of the two required override votes of then-Governor Carcieri's veto did not take place until July 30, 2004, according to a chronology compiled by the state library.

When this happens, the state simply continues under the auspices of a law titled: "Availability of funds on failure of general assembly to pass appropriation bill.''

It says: "In an emergency caused by a failure of the general assembly to pass the annual appropriation bill, the same amounts appropriated in the previous fiscal year shall be available for each department ... subject to monthly or quarterly allotments.''
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